162 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



structures an imposing display may be made of Filmy Ferns, as these are 

 the most suitable, as well as the most lasting, of all kinds adapted for 

 growing under such conditions ; the only drawback to their general use 

 being the expense, an item which sometimes has to be taken into consideration. 

 Fern-cases may also, more cheaply, yet very effectively, be planted with 

 other Ferns in mixed sorts, a list of which is given at the end of this 

 chapter ; but in this instance they require replanting oftener, for, being of 

 more vigorous, or rather of quicker, growth, they more rapidly overgrow the 

 case, which soon becomes a real wilderness. Another reason why Filmy Ferns 

 should, whenever possible, have the preference is, that while their transparent 

 fronds remain uninjured through a prolonged contact with the glass, those of 

 nearly all, if not of all, other kinds soon deteriorate when subjected for any 

 length of time to the influences of the moisture more or less permanent in 

 a Fern-case ; so that the economy in choosing commoner Ferns, unless they 

 are only of the cheapest kinds, is more apparent than real. 



The most ornamental, but at the same time the most expensive, of 

 Fern-cases is that known as the Yictoria case : a spacious structure of oblong- 

 shape, with curved or domed top, in which ventilation is provided by means 

 of a movable or sliding strip of glass at the upper part, where the two bent 

 pieces of glass meet, and also through both the ends, which, being hung on 

 hinges, can be opened to admit the exact amount of air required. In this 

 structure all possible light is saved, as there are neither cross-bars nor uprights 

 in the way, each side and each end, as well as each half of the curved top, 

 being individually of only one piece of glass. The bottom part of the 

 case is separated from the soil by a false bottom made of perforated zinc, 

 and the space thus remaining between the two is used for the reception of 

 the water resulting from the watering of the plants ; one end is provided 

 with a small tap or hole, through which, by a slight tilting of the case 

 from the opposite end, all superfluous water is easily disposed of. In such 

 a case — the dimensions of which are proportionately as follows : 30in. in 

 length, 16in. in width, and 24in. at the highest part of the curved top — 

 it is comparatively easy to make a miniature rockery, and one which gives 

 immediate and lasting satisfaction. Having laid on the perforated zinc 

 bottom a thickness of a couple of inches of crocks, and covered these with a 

 layer of sphagnum, or, better still, if procurable, a layer of very fibrous peat, 



